Known to have the clearest waters in the Mediterranean, and undoubtedly packed with historic and cultural interest, the Dalmatian Coast is one of the true wonders of Europe. We follow some of the best cycling routes the area has to offer with much of the tour taking place on the long and beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula, travelling by ferry between the islands. The scenery alternates between seaside villages, tiny mediaeval towns and lovely pebble bays. We end our journey in the fascinating UNESCO city of Dubrovnik. We have two nights here to soak up the atmosphere of this uniquely preserved city.

Highlights

Spectacular coastal cycling routes

Explore the mainland and islands on two wheels

Discover the UNESCO city of Dubrovnik

Key information

4 days cycling (plus 1 optional ride on Mljet) with full vehicle support

Cycling the Dalmatian Coast with Exodus Travels

Said to have the clearest waters in the Mediterranean, and undoubtedly packed with historical and cultural interest, the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is one of the true wonders of Europe. Cycle with Exodus Travels through this breathtaking coastline.

Itinerary

Day 1

Start Split; after a look around the old quarters of the city and a visit to the UNESCO Diocletian Palace, we have dinner then transfer to the port to take an evening ferry to Starigrad on the island of Hvar. We then continue by road to Jelsa where we spend the first two nights.Comfortable Hotel

Day 2

A circular ride exploring the lovely island of Hvar. We head first to Stari Grad following the old Roman road, a route with quite a tough climb but with lovely views of the old villages of Hvar. Here we take a break from cycling and transfer by vehicle to the town of Hvar where we will have a chance to wander around the narrow streets of this quintessential Dalmatian town. Rather like a mini Venice, the streets of Hvar are marbled and there are elegant gothic palaces and cathedrals inside the city walls. There will be some free time to explore Hvar before we cycle up a challenging hill to a view point overlooking the island of Brac. We will have lunch at the viewpoint whilst taking in the breathtaking views. After lunch there is a lovely sweeping descent all the way back to Stari Grad. From here we continue along an old Roman road to Vrbovska and then follow the coast road back towards Jelsa.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 3

Today we ride east along the narrow part of island with views of both coasts as we head to the port of Sucuraj. The road is generally quiet and there are a couple of challenging climbs today to get you warmed up, however the support vehicle will be available for anyone who doesn’t want to cycle up the hills. Heading east, we have wonderful views of the mountainous mainland and the turquoise waters, we pass small villages, olive groves and tiny vineyards on our way to Sucuraj. From Sucuraj we take a ferry to Drevnik on the mainland, transfer by bus to Orebic, then catch another ferry to Korcula which is the historical centre of the island and in a lovely setting on the Peljesac Channel. It is also known for its outstanding cultural and historical heritage with a long tradition of seafaring, shipbuilding and stone-masonry as well as being the birthplace of the adventurer and traveller Marco Polo. Once on Korcula we have a short 15min transfer to the small town of Lumbarda which will be our base for the next three nights.

From June - September a ferry runs from Ploce to Trpanj, from here we will take the bus to Orebic and then the ferry to Korcula. This shortens the time spent in the bus travelling from Drvenik to Orebic and makes the journey a bit more fun and picturesque.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 4

Today we have a free day to relax in Lumbarda, go for a swim at the sandy beach on Przina or explore the charming town of Korcula at your own pace. There is an optional visit (with bikes) to the picturesque island of Mijet. Those choosing to explore Mljet and its famous national park will take a boat ride to Pomena, which is also the entrance for the Mljet National Park. Here you can enjoy a very scenic but short ride around the two lakes.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 5

After breakfast we will start our circular ride on the forested island of Korcula. We start with a transfer to Vela Luka and from here we ride to the pretty village of Smokvica, before transferring to Pupnat where we will have lunch. From here we get back on the bikes and cycle all the way back to Lumbarda after a great exploration of the island. Today is a busy day and there are some hills, but we will use the support vehicle where necessary.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 6

After a short ferry ride (approx 20 minutes) to the Peljesac Peninsula we follow this narrow and rugged finger of land. The route passes through olive groves, quiet villages and the famous vineyards hugging the steep slopes descending to the clear waters of the Adriatic. We complete our ride along an easy unpaved track to the tiny cove at Zuljana. From here the traffic levels increase so we take our support vehicle to Dubrovnik. En route there is a short stop at the small historic town of Ston, a beautiful example of a fortified town and Dubrovnik-style architecture. We should arrive in Dubrovnik in late afternoon. We spend two nights in a lovely hotel which is a 10 minutes public bus ride from the old town of Dubrovnik.

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 7

Dubrovnik exudes old-world charm. Its location right on the Adriatic, the fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls and the jumble of red-tiled roofs, make this a truly enchanting place. The shelling of Dubrovnik by Serb troops in 1991 and 1992 outraged the world. Fortunately over the last 15 years great care has been taken to re-build the damaged parts of Dubrovnik and the city is now returned to its former glory. Old town, or Stari Grad, is filled with cobblestone streets, fountains, churches, palaces and museums - all built from the same light coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the quiet city, but at night the streets come alive as locals and visitors take an early evening stroll along the Stradun, the main street, covered in smooth shiny marble. Dubrovnik is famous for its fine seafood, and what better way to end our Croatian experience than splashing out on a feast of freshly grilled fish within Dubrovnik's city walls.Comfortable Hotel

Essential Info

Visas

UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are obligatory.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included throughout.

Croatian cuisine is a mixture of fine seafood, grilled lamb, pizza, pasta and salads, with influences from Central Europe, Italy and the Balkans.

Weather

Croatia boasts one of the sunniest climates in Europe, and some regions are notoriously free from rain. We generally travel off-season, so you should expect some variation in temperature and possibly some rainfall. Temperatures can be high, particularly on the July departures and can reach the mid to high 30s.

MVJ

Is this trip for you?

This tour is classified Road: activity level 3 (Moderate)

4 days cycling (plus one optional days ride) with an average distance of 45km per day with full vehicle support.

The rides mainly follow tarmac roads, but where possible on the islands we will use the quieter older roads that tend to be hard gravel. The roads are quiet and there is less traffic on the islands than the mainland. The route will be generally undulating but there are a few challenging hills that can be tough in the warm weather. The trip is vehicle supported so it is possible to miss some of these harder sections if you prefer. At times the route will follow roads or tracks with a steep down slope to one side. Certain sections will not have a barrier.

No specific cycling experience required but you should be comfortable on a bike and have a reasonable level of fitness.

Accommodation

Hotels

The hotels used throughout the trip are of a good standard. All are clean and comfortable, most have air conditioning and swimming pools or are close to the beach allowing you to have a swim after a day on the bike. Croatia is not the cheap destination that some might expect and hotels can lack a little character, especially in the more popular destinations like Dubrovnik.

Reviews

Recommend this (NOT EXPLORE - see below)

I would highly recommend this cycling holiday. Not only do you get to take in the breathe taking views and islands on 2 wheels, but there is plenty of time to relax and explore whilst providing a few challenging hills with the reward of a stunning view at the top!
Our guide Alan and driver Danny were attentive, informative and in my top tour leaders :)
With the support of the cycle trailer and a bus to accommodate anyone who can't or doesn't want to complete a hill (or if you are injured) there is comfort in knowing this tour is still a holiday and not a fitness challenge.
The island are beautiful, mainly tarmac back quiet roads, the locals friendly, the food delicious.....a few hotels were very dated and need of modernisation and I'm glad I left the trip early and didn't spend 2 nights in the Dubrovnik accommodation.
I would add that I considered Explore tour and the 70km day put me off.....we saw this group along the way they arrived in at 8pm on their long day... and noted they did not have a support vehicle like Exodus and some of their group were not happy about this.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Full moon rising...our tour leader planned this perfectly

What did you think of your group leader?

superb!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

meals were a lot more expensive than I had budgeted for and the pre ordered food was sometime £10 - 15 for a lunch that was cheese, ham, bread and olives!

An outstanding cycle trip

If you'd like a highly scenic ride in a lovely country, then this is the trip for you. We cycled up and down hills with amazing sea views, and visited stunning towns, villages and vineyards. We stayed at some lovely places, swam in the sea and ate very well. Alan was one of the best leaders I've experienced, and our group was lovely. They ranged in age from 30s to 70s; some were strong cyclists, others not. However all were catered for, and the support bus was always available. There were no long transports, and the ferry trips were great. The climate was pleasantly hot, and the wine flowed.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The islands were great, especially Korcula, and the town of Korcula- a medieval gem. Dubrovnik is unforgettable.

What did you think of your group leader?

Alan was wonderful: kind, attentive, and highly knowledgeable, with a great sense of humour. On the road he ensured our safety, supported the weaker riders and also enabled the best riders to go for it!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Sun, Sea & Scenery

This is our first Exodus trip , me and the wife fear we have experienced the best trip on our first tour!
This trip was outstanding.
The guide Marijo was fantastic, he is professional, knowledgeable and great fun! A real asset to Exodus. The trip is great for the leisure cyclist, mixing the right amount of cycling with sightseeing and socialising.
The country is truly beautiful, the people have a sunny temperament which matches the fantastic weather. We met a wonderful and diverse group of people, who were great company and a joy to holiday with. We are now already planning our next Exodus trip!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

So many it's hard to single one out. Mijet is a must, do not be tempted to take the rest day as it is a very gentle days cycling and you will miss out on a stunning island and a great day out.
The first two days are the hardest but you do need to justify all the great food and drink you consume.

What did you think of your group leader?

Marijo will be an impossible act to follow. He is so personable that any little problem with the ferries, restaurants etc are so smoothly dealt with that it all ends in handshakes and laughter.
In danger of missing a connecting ferry which would have meant a three hour wait, he sweet talked a van driver in front of us to let us take his place on the ferry! Marijo is not just a guide but becomes part of the holiday group, great fun on and off duty! Truly an exceptional guide. Tome the driver needs a out shout as well. A very happy chap who couldn't do enough for everyone. He also distills a mean homemade grappa!!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Do not expect too much from the hotels and breakfasts!
The holiday is great value for money. When you consider the amount of great staff care, great equipment, the cost of the ferries and the comfortable van used to carry us and the bikes, savings had to be made somewhere.
This is a full on holiday so you do not spend any time at the hotels anyway!
Best tip: most restaurants / bars don't like credit cards. So take cash or get it from ATMs

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Not really, perhaps Exodus could try and find a better hotel in Dubrovnik, as this is definitely the weak link.

Cycling the Dalmation Coast - May 2017

Once again Exodus has delivered a fabulous holiday in a beautiful destination. We highly recommend this trip and could easily have spent more time cycling the islands and exploring the coast. The cycling was interesting with a variety of terrain - some long but not steep climbs, which meant some refreshing descents. The moderate rating felt right. We'll definitely go back to explore Dubrovnik and other parts of Croatia. Can't recommend this trip highly enough!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It's difficult to decide on a single inspirational moment as Croatia proved to be a beautiful country with stunning scenery everywhere! Cycling along the coastal roads of Korcula and the vineyards of Peljesac Peninsula were particularly memorable - the views are spectacular. We walked to the top of cable car in Dubrovnik - well worth it for a magnificent view of the old city. We were blessed with excellent weather and great company with our group. This holiday was all the better for having people to share it with.

What did you think of your group leader?

Alan Skulic was excellent - well organised, knowledgeable, reassuring, calm, sociable and at ease with everyone in our group. Most of all, he had a great sense of humour - he understood the British sense of humour, apparently as a result of watching British comedy programmes when growing up.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Yes! Do it! It's a beautiful country and the holiday will stay in our memories forever. We are leisure cyclists and were a bit intimidated by the hill climbs but Alan was reassuring and supportive. We faced the challenge and feel much more confident about overcoming future cycling challenges. And we were rewarded with stunning scenery. The roads are quiet and the road surfaces are in much better condition than those at home, which again made cycling much more pleasurable. We highly recommend taking the optional trip to Mljet and the guided walk around Dubrovnik. Ana, our guide was excellent.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We went in mid-May and it was warm enough for us! It's important to drink plenty and make the most of breakfast and snack stops - especially if going when the weather is even warmer.

Cycling the Dalmation Coast

As a group of six ladies who are hobby cyclists, there was some in trepidation, but we needn't have been concerned. The support of our guide, Marijo and the group, along with our driver, Dani, made for a highly enjoyable week and so much was packed in. We needed to cycle each day to work off the lovely food we ate each day

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

For me the countryside was so beautiful. It was really quiet with not much traffic and the smells of cypress trees, rosemary and jasmine were just sublime. When there were hills ( and boy there were some!) the encouragement of the group was tremendous and don't forget at the top are some fantastic views, but a glorious ride down!!

What did you think of your group leader?

Mario was so supportive to all the different abilities within our cycle group. Not once did he get impatient or make you feel awkward. He was always informative in his briefings without making you feel patronised. He could enjoy a laugh with the group and if there was any language barrier in the shops etc he was always there to help out. He especially sourced one restaurant for my croatian friend who wanted a particular dish and several craft beer cafe for our brewer friend. He was the element that made our holiday so special.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I am glad I took padded cycling shorts and although I had done some training before, perhaps I should have done more to be able to cycle all those hills. I did take the bus on one occasion but was never made to feel a failure. Make sure you're happy to cycle in some traffic although in Croatia it is quite quiet. Don't forget your cycling gloves (some in our group did). We also asked Exodus before we went if there were bike bags, they said no, but infact there were bags to sit on the front of your handle bars, very useful to carry sunscreen or jackets etc. Also take your own water bottle. Pack light, as you don't want to pack and unpack full suitcases.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The hotels are basic but clean and breakfast is probably not the same standard as we are used to in central Europe , but quite adequate for a day's cycling. In the evenings you mainly eat with the group at some lovely restaurants, but you're not obliged to and can go solo if you wish. When you reach Dubrovnik, you will need money for extra trips (which you will do on your own) e.g. the bus from the hotel to the town, The walls of the Old City, cable car and boat trip to Lokrum. Dubrovnik is busy as many of the cruise ships call in, but still a fascinating place. If you just want peace & quiet go to Lorum and take your swimming costume for a swim in the beautiful Adriatic sea. Here there are some lovely restaurants and even sunbeds.
If you are in a group or on your own don't hesitate to go, can't remember when I've laughed so much!!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cycling the Dalmatian Coast

Excellent trip with an interesting bunch of people from all walks of life. We all had something to bring to the table.Had some great laughs and the leader was a good Captain guiding us to some amazing places.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

We visited Mijet and I loved it. The island was amazing and did some great swimming in the sea

What did you think of your group leader?

Ana went over and above to meet all of the groups needs which were varied.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cycling the Dalmatian Coast

An amazing week of cycling and island hopping along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. Brilliant local food, historic old towns and stunning coastal and mountain scenery to pedal through.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Arriving at the top of a long climb and having a long downhill to look forward to, followed by a dip in the sea to cool off.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader was great, very knowledgeable and accommodating and always went above and beyond for everyone in the group. Great to have someone from the local area who understands all the best places to go.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Expect stunning scenery, some challenging hills and amazing local food.

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.